I understand Chicago has a big problem with crime and safety, but this is Chi-town, not some small *** town in the middle of nowhere.

If your SD 401k makes a loan in this state, and for safety there is no other place it should, it would be in your interest to use a licensed CA real estate broker to originate any one-off loans.A real estate broker, which is the same as a mortgage broker in CA, will understand the law, have vetted paperwork, and be able to evaluate your borrower, their deal, and you for suitability.

I don't find any lock laws for Massachusetts except that a lock change is mandatory if the tenant reports a valid fear for their personal safety: CLICK HEREThat's the only guidance I find requiring mandatory lock law.

I’m usually shooting for cash flow though so my model is probably different than the type of people buying these

Slobs are going to be slobs.If it's not causing a safety/health hazard, it's not worth stressing yourself out over.

They are 300% efficient in the heating mode, regular baseboard is only 100% efficient.

Their main job is to enforce code for sure, as it typically pertains to life safety and they want to cover their (and the jurisdictions) *** if anything were to happen.If you go into the process with the intent of playing by the rules and wanting to fix what has been an eyesore, they are typically much more receptive to helping you out.

Scott Curriden of The Scripps Research Institute's Environmental Health and Safety Department.

If you can afford to carry them and have no plans to do anything with the money, then keep them and pay down the mortgage, just make sure you have the money and a safety net to carry them.   

Be polite and cordial, but only fix safety and health items.